How much does it cost to run a 12,000 BTU air conditioner 24/7? Assuming the air conditioner has an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 10, the daily consumption is 28.8 kWh. With an average electricity cost of $0.15 per kWh, the daily cost is $4.32. The monthly cost (30 days) would be approximately $112.20.
A 12,000 BTU air conditioner uses roughly 900 watts per hour, assuming a minimum SEER rating of 13. You can achieve much more efficient performance with a better rating.
The short answer is yes, it is cheaper to leave your air conditioner on all day. But this does not mean that you should leave it on full blast, keeping your home so cold that you need a sweater or jacket to be comfortable.
The average cost per kWh in the US is currently $0.11, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). This means an AC unit could cost you from $5.17 to $5.94 per day to run. Or about $155-$178 per month you're running it.
How much does it cost to run a 12,000 BTU air conditioner 24/7? Assuming the air conditioner has an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 10, the daily consumption is 28.8 kWh. With an average electricity cost of $0.15 per kWh, the daily cost is $4.32. The monthly cost (30 days) would be approximately $112.20.
Turning Your Air Conditioner On & Off vs.
Since air conditioners use more energy when they cycle all day, it is cheaper to let your system operate at full capacity when you're home instead of running it at a lower capacity all day. The more energy you use, the more money you'll pay in monthly utility bills.
A 220-volt supply can transmit the power more cheaply because a smaller current is needed, and so you can use thinner cables and/or lose less energy through heat generated in the cables.
Modern air conditioning units are designed to run 24 hours a day. There is no harm in having it run to keep your home cool all day long. If you wanted to, you could have your AC unit running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If your thermostat is set on “auto”, your AC compressor does not run 24 hours a day.
If your area is currently at the design temp, your AC should run the “average” 12-16 hours per day. If it is five degrees higher, it will run 14 to 20 hours per day. At 10 degrees over, it will run 16 to 22 hours per day. At 15 degrees over, it will most likely run all day.
According to the Department of Energy1, 78° Fahrenheit is the sweet spot for air conditioners to balance energy savings and comfort when people are at home and need cooling.
"It's more energy efficient to keep the unit on but turn the temperature setting up," she advises. Turning off the AC unit during the day is not necessarily a bad thing — it is a myth that the AC unit has to work extra-hard to cool off a hot house.
In general, it is cheaper to leave the AC on all day during very hot temperatures. However, it's not efficient to keep it on full blast all the time. Your exact results may vary depending on your AC system. So, it's best to consult a professional if you aren't sure about how to lower your energy bills.
In our experience, a 12,000 BTU portable can work well in a bedroom up to about 200 square feet, and a 14,000 BTU unit will make some difference up to 400 square feet if you can tolerate the noise.
Give your Air Conditioner a Rest
When air conditioners are constantly run, they tend to wear out quicker. It is important to turn the air conditioner off if you plan on leaving home for any length of time. You can turn the thermostat a minimum of 5 degrees to allow the unit to stay on, but not cool the air.
An AC should run 12 to 16 hours a day on average summer days when the air conditioner is properly sized. On the very hottest days of summer, don't be surprised if your AC runs 20 hours or more, especially if the weather is well above the normal heat range.
Ideally, your AC should run for 15 minutes on nice, warm days. Only on those rare triple-digit temperature days should your air conditioner be running almost all the time. If your AC isn't following this pattern, you could have a problem.
For many, 72 degrees is the optimal indoor temperature, but on days that surpass 92 degrees your AC will be running extra hard to meet those expectations. When outside temperatures are pushing 100 degrees, try setting your thermostat at 78-80 degrees.
To save the most money, always set your thermostat to the highest temperature you can comfortably stand. A programmable thermostat makes it easy to keep your AC at the right temperature. You can program the unit to hold at higher temperatures while you're at work and cool down right before you get home.
air conditioner: The cost of cooling. While it's common knowledge that cooling your home will increase your energy bill—but did you know air conditioners use 100 times more energy than fans? It takes significantly more energy for an air conditioner to move heat around than it takes a fan to blow air onto your skin.
Energy Saver recommends setting your air conditioner to 78 degrees when you wake up, 85 degrees during the day, and 82 degrees when you're sleeping to save the most money. Kureczka suggests bumping the temperature up to the highest setting you're comfortable with.
Leaving your air conditioner on is actually more efficient than frequently turning it on and off. Having your AC on also allows you to better control humidity in your home throughout the day. The lower the humidity in a home, the more comfortable it feels during hot weather.